Table 4.
Leaf C, N and C:N ratios in response to earthworms (−Ew…no earthworms, +Ew…earthworm addition) and plant community composition (low diversity…3 spp.; high diversity…12 spp.)
|
Parameter/ |
Low plant diversity |
High plant diversity |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funct. group | -Ew | +Ew | -Ew | +Ew |
| Ctot |
|
|
|
|
|
A. elatius |
41.6 ± 0.3a |
40.5 ± 0.4a |
40.8 ± 0.5a |
39.7 ± 1.0a |
|
P. vulgaris |
38.4 ± 1.0a |
38.5 ± 0.5a |
38.6 ± 0.1a |
38.5 ± 0.8a |
|
T. pratense |
40.9 ± 0.3a |
40.9 ± 0.3a |
40.6 ± 0.3a |
41.3 ± 0.4a |
| Ntot |
|
|
|
|
|
A. elatius |
2.9 ± 0.2b |
3.5 ± 0.3a |
2.8 ± 0.2b |
3.4 ± 0.3a |
|
P. vulgaris |
2.7 ± 0.1b |
3.1 ± 0.1a |
2.9 ± 0.1b |
3.4 ± 0.3a |
|
T. pratense |
3.0 ± 0.1ab |
3.1 ± 0.2ab |
2.8 ± 0.1c |
3.3 ± 0.1a |
| C:N ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
A. elatius |
15.9 ± 1.5a |
12.3 ± 1.1b |
15.3 ± 1.2a |
12.7 ± 1.3b |
|
P. vulgaris |
14.3 ± 0.7a |
12.8 ± 0.5b |
13.9 ± 0.6a |
11.5 ± 1.2b |
| T. pratense | 13.9 ± 0.5a | 13.5 ± 0.4a | 14.7 ± 0.6a | 12.7 ± 0.5b |
Different letters after values refer to significant differences within a species (Tukey-Tests, p < 0.05). Means ± SE, n = 6.